December 18, 2002
“For the Lord, your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT)
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10 (NIV)
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let Earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing
Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy
He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love And wonders, wonders, of His love
Singing three stanzas of “Joy To The World” makes it clear that it was Jesus who brought joy to the world! It is a popular Christmas
song written by Isaac Watts celebrating the joyful occasion of the Lord Jesus’s coming into the world. Surprisingly his lyrics were never anticipated to be a Christmas song. The lyrics were a poem by Watts based Psalm, based on Psalm 98, which is a psalm of the second coming of the Lord who “comes to judge the earth” noted in verse 9. Jesus’ purpose in His first coming was not to judge but to save noted in John 3:17! We continue to celebrate the King of Kings in His lowliness which is appropriate. Jesus brought joy to the world in His first coming to earth as a baby, and He will bring joy to the world when He comes again to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords Revelation 19:16 and “On His robe at His thigh was written this title” Revelation 19:16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords. (NLT)
Do you have the Joy that Jesus brought to the World? The world was lost in darkness before Jesus came the first time. Without God as a vital part of our existence, only emptiness and senselessness remain. Those who recognized Jesus as the promised Savior and Redeemer of the world were filled with JOY! When the gospel spread in the days of the early church, joy followed the message! Accepting Jesus as personal Lord and Savior bring JOY. Jesus brought joy into the world in some very practical ways. He healed the sick, cast out demons, and the forgiving of sin which brings immediate joy!
The Psalmist David discovered the secret to JOY! He realized true joy is far deeper than happiness; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but joy is lasting because it is based on God’s presence within us. Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us that “when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Here there is no conflict with the law.
The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s control-we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without his help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to God’s life as noted in John 15:4-5 which says, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (NLT) As we anticipate His daily presence, we will find contentment. As we appreciate the future He has for us, we will experience joy. We are not to base our life on circumstances but on God.
A JOYFUL 
HEART 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (NLT)
First, we need to understand that the joy the world gives is not the same as the joy the Spirit gives.
Second, we need to understand that God’s joy cannot be taken away.
Third, we need to stop wallowing, whining, and complaining and grab onto God’s Joy. Choose joy over bitterness, anger, jealousy, and disappointment. Make a decision to choose Joy every day no matter what. Just like salvation, joy is a free and perfect gift from Him, and we must reach out and accept that gift.
FATHER GOD, Thank You for the Word that gives us clear instructions on how to live. Thank You for the Holy Spirit to control our lives, producing the fruit of Your JOY! Lord, help us to fix our eyes on You, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the JOY set before You, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and not sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. Thank You, Father in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.